How accurate is Birdsong's bird identifier?

It runs Google's Perch, a research-grade acoustic model covering nearly 15,000 species. When a call is ambiguous, we say so honestly and let you record a second clip to confirm, rather than guessing.

Is my recording stored?

No. Your audio is used to identify the bird in the moment and isn't saved to our servers. The birds you confirm are kept as cards in your own field journal; the recordings themselves are not.

Is the bird identifier free?

Yes — identify birds every day for free, no account required. Birdsong Pro ($3.99/mo or $39.99/yr) unlocks unlimited IDs, full field guides, your growing collection, and shareable Field Report cards.

Do I need an account or internet to identify a bird?

You'll need a connection to identify, since the AI runs in the cloud. No account is needed to try it — sign in with Google or email to save your field journal and sync it across devices.

Birdsong field guide

Striped Owl

Asio clamator

A medium-sized owl characterized by its prominent ear tufts and bold, vertical black streaking against a pale tawny body.

What it sounds like

A series of deep, rhythmic barking notes described as 'hoo-how' or a singular, explosive 'whow'.

Reference call, compare with what you heard

0:00 / 0:11

Rec. JAYRSON ARAUJO DE OLIVEIRA · BrazilCC BY-NC-SA Xeno-canto

Field notes

Despite its resemblance to Long-eared Owls, it is often placed in its own genus, Pseudoscops, by some taxonomists.
It possesses a strikingly white facial disk framed by a sharp, thin black border.
Unlike many arboreal owls, it frequently chooses to nest on the ground hidden within tall grass or dense shrubs.
Its long ear tufts are among the most proportionaly prominent of any Neotropical owl species.
It is a generalist predator, capable of taking prey ranging from large insects to small mammals and birds.

Habitat

Open and semi-open country including savannas, marshes, pastures, and woodland edges.

Range

Widespread across Central and South America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina.

Similar & commonly confused birds

Abyssinian OwlAsio abyssinicus Fearful OwlAsio solomonensis Jamaican OwlAsio grammicus Long-eared OwlAsio otus Madagascar OwlAsio madagascariensis Marsh OwlAsio capensis Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus Stygian OwlAsio stygius

Heard a Striped Owl?

Open Birdsong, tap record, and identify the bird singing near you in seconds — then collect it in your field journal.

Identify a bird by its song